Interim University President Robert Bruininks confirmed Wednesday that he was nominated as a potential candidate for University president.

He said academic search firm Korn/Ferry contacted him, but Bruininks told them he was not interested.

“I’ve indicated quite clearly that I will not be a candidate during the search process,” Bruininks said.

It is still possible for him to become a candidate after the initial search process has ended.

Bruininks’ statement is the first University comment on potential candidates vying to replace Mark Yudof.

Yudof left in June to become chancellor of the University of Texas System. The Board of Regents plans to name his successor by the end of the year.

Newspaper reports have identified University of Washington President Richard McCormick and Kansas State University President Jon Wefald as possible candidates.

Search officials have declined to comment on the search process, citing a commitment to keep secret the names of those interested in the position.

Both the regents’ search advisory committee – made up of faculty, students and community leaders – and the search firm interview potential candidates.

The committee will recommend five to six semifinalists to the regents. The board will then narrow the field to three finalists from which the next president will be selected.